Unlocking Seoul

Creative & Art Direction, Photography, Design

A photo-documentary project in collaboration with Campbell Addy. This book reveals a personal exploration of the homosexual scene in the city of Seoul, South Korea. A month spent in the country has allowed us to experience it first-hand and get a glimpse into the daily lives of Korean gay men.

Exploring

—In a place where conversations regarding homosexuality are often muted, we were determined to understand the reasons behind it and to hear the voices of those who deal with it from day to day.

Understanding

—Though it was very intriguing to get to know people from various backgrounds and listen to their stories, it was rather unsettling to see the harsh reality the LGBT community faces. In fact, our approach was too daring for many due to a possibility of being exposed in a society that strongly holds a negative attitude towards them.

Experiencing

—Those who were willing to participate in the project treated us with kindness and gave an insight into a scene that only a native of Seoul would be able to. We were introduced to a variety subcultures that mainly gather in venues on Homo Hill and Hooker Hill, situated in the heart of Itaewon - a clubbing district and a popular gay area where residents of Seoul, tourists, and U.S. military personnels coexist.

Sharing

It was thrilling to push boundaries, defy conservative mindsets, open up conversations about homosexuality and finally to share our visual story with the rest of the world